Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
turbines at sea and researching alternative ways of mooring and anchor-
ing turbines, to finding easier, safer and cheaper ways of getting engineers
on and off sea turbines. “So while the UK may not become a world
exporter of the main technology, it could develop expertise
in the supply
chain, and innovate ways of making operation and maintenance leaner,
which could be sold to the world.” Marine energy - meaning wave and
tidal power - is a less pressing matter, though Dr Staunton says “it has the
same potential as wind was spotted as having twenty years ago”.
Next-generation solar PV
The Carbon Trust is also very interested in solar voltaics, which might
initially seem surprising. “Silicon has been the base of this industry. It
has been very expensive”, Staunton explains. “A lot of government subsidy
has gone into supporting it, but outside the subsidized markets of mainly
Germany, Spain and the US it is not very attractive.” In contrast to wind,
the UK is hardly a natural market for solar power.
“But if you look ahead to the next stage of PV generation, where the
search is on for materials such as polymeric, plastic materials that can
be printed off cheaper than silicon, then the UK has a chance”, Staunton
says. “Because we have people who know about chemicals, printing and
plastic electronics.”
Your flexible friend: this strip of “power plastic”, manufactured by the
Massachusetts-based firm Konarka, is an example of so-called third-generation
solar photovoltaic technology. A rival firm, Solarmer Energy, currently holds the
record for conversion efficiency in printed plastic solar cells - at 7.9 percent.
